Snapshots: Earth Day Festival at Zervas

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Rhia Sharma, Laura Nicolae and Rebecca Telio volunteer at Green Newton's Earth Day Festival on May 3, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Newton’s Earth Day Festival on Sunday showed the power of Earth and climate as the day brought a little sun, a little rain, lots of wind and even some afternoon snow flurries.

Wild, uncomfortable weather has actually become a Newton Earth Day Festival tradition. Every year, regardless of the date.

The festival changed venues for this year, from the Newton North parking lot to the Zervas Elementary School gym. Given the rough weather mentioned above, that was a welcome change for many. And the gym was able to hold more people and more vendors. There were games. There was food. And there were goats to pet.

The annual festival is organized by Green Newton, a nonprofit that advises the community on ways to protect the environment and improve how natural resources are used. Founded in 1990 by activist Louise Bruyn, the organization hosts its Earth Day Festival each year to keep residents and business owners informed about ways to help the planet and fight climate change.

Check out these photos from Sunday’s festival.

Susan Haule and Jacob Mihalak welcome visitors to the Newton Conservators table at Green Newton’s Earth Day Festival on May 3, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

City Councilor Alison Leary, Garry Miller and Kathy Pillsbury talk at the 350 Newton table at Green Newton’s Earth Day Festival on May 3, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Left to right: City Councilor Susan Albright, climate activist Gary Rucinski and City Councilor Cyrus Dahmubed mingle at Green Newton’s Earth Day Festival on May 3, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Newton Economic Development Director Lauren Berman, her husband, Doug, and their dog, Percy, arrive at Green Newton’s Earth Day Festival on May 3, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

State Rep. Amy Sangiolo, left, talks with Allison Kelley of the Newton DPW at Green Newton’s Earth Day Festival on May 3, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Rachel operates a booth for Service Stars, a Newton-based nonprofit, at Green Newton’s Earth Day Festival on May 3, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Tami Roberts, left, and Sharyn Roberts, right, register voters for the League of Women Voters of Newton at Green Newton’s Earth Day Festival on May 3, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Ellie Goldberg, left, and Melissa Brown, right, greet visitors to their table at Green Newton’s Earth Day Festival on May 3, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle